YESTER Primary School will welcome a new headteacher after the summer holidays.

Heather Williams, currently headteacher at Elphinstone Primary School, takes the helm at the Gifford primary school in August.

Mrs Williams, who moved to East Lothian more than a decade ago, was looking forward to making the switch but was also sad to be saying goodbye to her existing school, where she has been headteacher for six years.

She said: “[The move] is about seeing myself as a lifelong learner and seeing myself as wanting to experience another challenge in my headship.

“At the same time, I am keeping with the community and country school feel.”

The headteacher, who also worked at Ormiston Primary School and Tranent Nursery after moving to the UK in 2002, said that there were similarities between her current role and the one she would take up later this summer.

The 54-year-old, who was also previously depute headteacher at Sanderson’s Wynd Primary School in Tranent, described her time in Elphinstone as “fantastic”.

She said: “I have enjoyed it here in Elphinstone.

“There are fantastic staff, fantastic pupils, a supportive parent council and I got the feel of that at Yester as well.”

Mrs Williams, who has a 21-year-old daughter and is originally from South Africa, has already begun working with Gill Whitford, Yester Primary’s acting headteacher, ahead of taking up the role.

Mrs Whitford, who is headteacher at West Barns Primary School, has been in charge at the Gifford school – which has a school roll of 210, including the school’s nursery – since taking over from Dorothy Hilsley, who retired after 17 years at the school at the end of last year.

The recruitment process saw Mrs Williams interviewed by four pupils, with the school’s parent council also getting the chance to meet the candidates for the position.

Nicola Davidson, chairwoman of the school’s parent council, said: “Heather was extremely enthusiastic about the school, its rural location and the size of the school.

“There are big shoes to fill in Dorothy Hilsley but we were very clear Heather would take the school and maintain all good things and move forward in a really positive way.

“We are delighted to have her as the new headteacher beginning in August.”

Fiona Robertson, head of education at East Lothian Council, confirmed the new appointment.

She said: “After a successful recruitment campaign, we are delighted to announce that Heather Williams, currently headteacher at Elphinstone Primary School, has been appointed to the post of headteacher at Yester Primary School.

“Heather will take up her new position at the start of the school term this August.”

The post of headteacher at Elphinstone Primary School is now being advertised, with a salary of £49,683 per year.

Applicants have until May 27 to apply for the job.